Electrical Engineer (Early Career)

Northwood; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Vision Coverage

Dental Coverage

401(k) Plan

Stock Options

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Northwood is seeking an Electrical Engineer to drive high-speed digital system design and develop complex multilayer PCBs, ensuring robust signal integrity across SerDes and RF interfaces. You will own schematic capture, bring-up, and lab validation for FPGA- and MCU-based architectures.

You’ll collaborate with hardware, software, RF, FPGA, and firmware teams to optimize performance, scale products for production, and support space communications initiatives through rigorous testing in lab and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• 0–4+ years of professional electrical design experience (internships, co-ops, and project experience qualify).
• Experience with high-density/high-speed PCB design and EMI/EMC troubleshooting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive electrical design for high-speed digital systems and multilayer PCBs.
• Work with 100G networking and architecture trades to inform decisions.
• Schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, and bring-up/validation with FPGAs and MCUs.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, RF, FPGA, and firmware teams to optimize performance.
• Test prototypes in lab and field to assess and improve performance.
• Partner with production teams to develop manufacturable products.

Skills

High-speed PCB design

FPGA experience

SerDes

Signal integrity

Power distribution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Schematic capture tools

Job description

Electrical Engineer (High Speed, Mixed Signal Electronics)

As an Electrical Engineer at Northwood, you will drive the electrical design of high-speed digital systems, own key aspects of PCB development, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to optimize overall system performance. You will contribute to architecture trades, prototype bring-up, testing in lab and field settings, and ensure designs transition smoothly to production. Your work will directly support our mission to enable faster, more capable space operations through innovative ground infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Drive electrical design for high-speed digital communication systems, implementing RF and mixed-signal designs in complex, multilayer PCBs.
• Work with 100G high-speed networking, intricate digital power trees, and lead system trades to inform architecture decisions.
• Perform schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, and bring-up/validation on diverse digital systems including FPGAs, microcontrollers, and associated peripherals.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, software, RF, antenna, FPGA, and firmware engineers to optimize system performance and design integration.
• Test prototypes rigorously in the lab and field to assess and improve performance.
• Partner with production teams to develop testable, manufacturable products for efficient in-house integration and scaling.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 0–4+ years of professional experience in electrical design (internships, co‑ops, and project experience qualify).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Proficiency in high-density/high-speed PCB design, including FPGAs, high-speed data converters, SerDes, 10/100 GigE networking, and JESD204C interfaces.
• Strong experience with schematic capture tools and best practices in PCB layout for signal integrity and power distribution.
• Hands‑on troubleshooting of EMI/EMC issues (conducted or radiated).
• Knowledge of PCB materials selection and board stack‑up definition for high-performance applications.
• Familiarity with soldering, hot air rework, and prototype assembly techniques.
• Experience across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production ramp‑up.
• Strong collaborative skills, enthusiasm for solving complex engineering challenges, and passion for advancing space communications technology.

Compensation and Benefits

• Electrical Engineer/Level1: $100,000–$110,000 per year
• Electrical Engineer/Level2: $104,000–$130,000 per year

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood. You may also be eligible for equity in the form of stock options or other long‑term incentives, as well as potential performance bonuses. We offer comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and various other perks and discounts.

Security and Eligibility

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.